1 . COVID - 19 outbreak drives the general public to take measures to protect themselves. In many Asian countries it’s _______ to see people wearing masks (口罩) in public.

However, this practice is almost unheard-of in many Western countries.

In many Asian countries, people with colds are _______ to wear masks to prevent others from getting sick. Some people with allergies (过敏症) feel that wearing masks helps them breathe better. Masks have _______ become a fashion accessory (配饰). Some people like the mysterious _______ masks give them, while others enjoy the feeling of privacy they provide in public.

However, in most Western countries, masks are only worn by hospital workers and _______. If you wear one in public, people might find it unusual or may worry that you have a terrible disease. What’s more, masks aren’t usually thought as a way to _______ illness. Instead, more attention is paid on hand washing, and people who are sick are encouraged to stay home.

In addition in _______ like France, Italy, and Austria, it is actually against laws to wear a mask in public. The laws try to stop people from hiding their faces for public safety. This is _______ wearing a mask would make it more difficult for the police to find a criminal. Some countries _______ wearing masks only in high-rick situations, such as public events or protests. In others, wearing a mask anywhere in public could very well result in a fine (罚款).

As you can see, masks are treated very ________ in Asia and the West. While cultural differences like these are important to avoid, we should all try to understand and respect each other no matter what.

Researchers at China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp have developed and made the world’s first robot whale shark,which has been _____in an aquarium(水族馆)at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park in the city’s Pudong New Area since January.

The whale shark is a slow-moving carpet shark and the largest known living fish. _____and built by engineers at the Shenyang-based No. 111 Factory, the underwater robot is4.7 meters long, ______350 kilograms and can move______the speed of 42 meters a minute.

Powered by a lithium(锂) battery, it can swim, turn,______ and dive like a real shark by moving its mechanical fins. The mouth and gills(鲐) can also open and close like a shark’s.

The robot can reach the _____of 10 meters and operate for ______ 10 hours, said FangXuelin, a senior researcher at the factory’s Underwater Propulsion Technology Laboratory who is incharge of the robot shark program.The shark can be remotely ___and can also swim based on preset(预设的) programs or its own sensors(传感器), he said.

“Our robots are to serve three purposes--to perform in aquariums _______entertainment, spread knowledge about the sea and aquatic animals _____ youngsters, and ____ scientific tasks such as hydro logical surveys, underwater photography and environmental inspection.”

The factory now plans to develop more types of aquatic robots,______ some extinct(灭绝的) mammals, for display in parks and schools. It will also promote(推进)the products to business engaged in fields such as underwater salvage(打捞) and mineral prospecting.

3 . Chinese people are well-known for being hospitable (好客的). Many even feel that they will lose face if their _________ eat up all the food on the table. As we all know, food waste becomes a _________ problem in China. Luckily, this situation can be _________ with the help of a rule.

According to the rule, food providers who encourage or force people to _________ too much food may face fines (罚款) of up to 10,000 yuan. And they should remind people to order the _________ amount of food.

Besides, people are encouraged to finish all the food on the dining table. Now many people show their support for the rule by sharing photos and videos of empty _________ online. And many Chinese people have _________ the habit of taking leftovers (吃剩的食物) home.

The purpose of introducing the rule is not to _________ anybody, but to avoid food waste. Wasting food is not just a waste of money, but more. _________, it is a waste of resources (资源). It’s necessary to create an environmentally friendly __________. In a word, there is no excuse for wasting food.

8 . Customers in the US spend less money on Black Friday than previous (以前的) years.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the US. Thanksgiving is always the fourth _________ in November.

Black Friday is traditionally the day when the Christmas shopping period begins. It is usually one of the _________ days of the year for sellers.

Many sellers _________ their prices to encourage shoppers to spend their money. Some customers arrive at stores before they open, and wait in line for a chance to buy _________ things.

Last year, Americans _________ a total of $57.4 billion over the four days (from Thursday to Sunday). However, this year, experts think that the amount will _________ to around $ 50.9 billion.

Black Friday started in the US, but has become more popular in other _________ recently.

Many customers from the UK have started spending more money on Black Friday, even though British people don't celebrate Thanksgiving.

Online seller Amazon UK said that Friday was its busiest day ever. According to the _________, customers bought 5.5 million products on Friday, which was around 64 things per second.

Many stores in the UK also offered cheap _________, such as TVs, coffee machines and other electronic products.

In some stores shoppers __________ to leave the store, even though all of the products had already been sold out.